I am considering replacing the stock sport shocks on my A4 1.8TQ with Bilsteins. The sports suspension feels a little too polite and the car sits back upon hard acceleration. Are the Bilsteins an appropriate fix? Would they firm up the ride?

It will help for sure but you should buy good springs if you really want the "squat" to go away. I use H&R race springs which is a little much for most people but they make a good sport spring that may be right for you. Unfortunatley I replaced the springs first and then, due to horrable ride quality of the stock shock/race spring set-up, I bought Bilsteins later. So I can't give an oppinion as to how stock sport spring/Bilsteins will work. But I can tell you this, the bilsteins are great and if nothing else they will better your ride quality and extend you cars handling envolope quite a bit.<p>Good Luck<p>Damon<br>98.5 A4 Avant 30v black<br>AMS chip, K&N, cat back, Bilstein, H&Rs, 18x8.5 A! SLRs, Recaro SRs, debadged, clear cornes/turn signals, A! grill, 2000 watts baby.

Damon<p>Everyone talks about brands of springs, but what about spring rates? One needs to know the inch/pound rating of the stock springs to make a sensible choice of upgrade units.<p>Also, manufacturers need to offer a variety of spring rates for a given model. It would be foolish to install a spring that is 50% stiffer than stock when a 10% tighten-up is desired, and vice-versa.<p>Recommend of a brand is a start, but more information is needed. Does anyone know if the necessary information and choices are available.<p>Thanks,<br>Eric

i just got my car back. replaced the sport suspension shocks with bilstein sports.<br>kept the factory sport springs. i have only driven the car one or two miles but<br>first impressions is that both handling and ride are improved!<p>will post another report later this evening.<p>eliot

I replaced mine with the Neuspeed sport springs and Bilstein shocks set on the second groove (from top) up front and second (from bottom) at rear.<p>Just interested to know how you set up your Bilsteins with the factory sport springs. Did you leave it a the sport height or lower the car?<p>Jim

i kept the original ride height of the sport suspension. the bilsteins are<br>wonderful. i can detect sharper turn in response (haven't done any serious<br>cornering yet) but best of all the ride is much more settled. the car just feels<br>much better tied down over high speed crests. i expect that cornering will<br>be much more confidence inspiring as the suspension now settles very<br>quickly.<p>there is just a bit more shock transmission over rough roads but i think this<br>is an excellent compromise that will suit most a4 owners who don't intend<br>to race their cars. the ride is firm but definitely not harsh.. they should have<br>put in bilsteins as part of the sport package, but i guess they are too cheap.<p>eliot

Just wondering since I'm considering going back to the factory springs until the roads are repaved.<p>Thanks,<br>Jim